Friday, September 16, 2011

Justin Elkins, the new orchestra director of TrumbullHigh School, is a versatile music educator and performer who has been in the area since 2007. Since then, he has been an active performer in the cello section of the Norwalk Symphony and has performed numerous concerts with his wife, Marija, a pianist, as the Elkins Duo, such as at the 9/11 memorial service in Norwalk and at the University of Bridgeport in a concert to raise funds for earthquake relief in Haiti. After receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cello performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, he founded the cello department at the TalentEducationSuzukiSchool in Norwalk in 2007 and remains the department chair of the cello department there. He has also worked extensively as a string educator in the public schools, working in Fairfield with both high school orchestras and in Bridgeport through the K.E.Y.S. program, Kids Empowered by your Support, a non profit organization which provides music lessons to underprivileged elementary students in Bridgeport Public Schools. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with the string students of Trumbull High School and am eager to challenge the students to achieve their potential, and encourage other string players who might not already be in the orchestra to join as I would like to create an honors ensemble that will perform in outreach concerts throughout the community in locations such as senior homes, libraries, and other public places, so that we can share our music and our growth. I am also interested in providing opportunities to the students to perform community service through music by coaching and mentoring less fortunate students in Bridgeport through the K.E.Y.S program.”

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Justin and Marija performed at the University of Bridgeport in a benefit concert to raise funds for earthquake relief in Haiti. Other performers included Eddie Pleasant, recognized opera singer, as well as dancers and gospel singers. Although the piano was not in the best of shape, Justin and Marija enjoyed performing the Fantasy Pieces by Schumann for this great cause.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Justin and Marija performed for the 9/11 Memorial service at the Norwalk Concert Hall to honor those from Norwalk lost in the September 11th attacks, performing Mendelssohn's Song Without Words. In attendance were Mayor Dick Moccia, Attorney General, now senator Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Jim Himes and Deputy Governor Michael Fedele.

About the Elkins Duo

The Elkins Duo have been performing together ever since they where students at the Interlochen Arts Academy. Since then, they have performed throughout the country and the world, including a concert tour of the Republic of Macedonia, and recitals in New York, Ohio, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Connecticut. Currently they reside in Norwalk, CT where they teach and perform regularly throughout the area.

Dedicated Music Educators

Both Justin and Marija are devoted music educators. They were both on the faculty at the Talent Education Suzuki School in Norwalk, CT where Justin was the head of the cello department and Marija was a member of the piano faculty. As they feel very strongly that all children should have the opportunity to receive great musical training, they have also both taught extensively in the past through the K.E.Y.S. Kids Empowered By Your Support program, a non-profit organization that sends professional musicians and teachers into Bridgeport Public School to teach students one on one and in groups during the school day. They have performed in numerous house concerts throughout the area to raise money to help fund this program. Justin is also the orchestra director at Trumbull High School, and teaches theory there as well, taught 4th grade strings at South Elementary School in New Canaan, and is now the director of the String Ensemble for the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra.

About the Artists:

Cellist Justin Elkins, a Wyoming native, began playing the cello in the fourth grade. Justin completed his junior and senior years of high school at the prestegious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. He went on to complete his Bachelor's and Master's degree in cello performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York where he studied with distinguished professor of cello Alan Harris. Upon graduation, Justin has had an active musical career. In addition to his performances in the Elkins Duo, he has also served as cellist of the North Dakota String Quartet and performed solo concertos with the Cloud Peak Symphony of Wyoming and the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra of North Dakota. He is also a regular performer in the Norwalk Symphony, and has also performed with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony.

Pianist Marija Krstevska Elkins, a native of the Republic of Macedonia, began her musical training in the second grade. A winner of numerous awards in her own country, Marija attended the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy her junior year in high school. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in piano performance in her home country, Marija went on to recieve her Master's degree in piano performance in the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH, where she studied with renowned piano professor Eugene Pridonoff. A participant at numerous worldwide piano festivals, including ones in Belgium and Prauge, Marija has also performed solo concertos twice with the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra. Marija is also an active chamber musician and teacher.